Chidimma Jessica, Allison (Ph. D)

Department Of Religion & Cultural Studies University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu-400001

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4112-8141

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2024.v3i3n02

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ABSTRACT

This study investigates the fundamental reasons behind the reservation towards child adoption in family preservation among Igbo Christians. The survey was conducted in three main cities of Anambra state; Awka, Onitsha, and Ihiala. It made use of a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative instruments in analyzing the data. The four point-Likert scale was used to obtain qualitative data from the field and was further converted to quantitative data using descriptive-analytical and inferential statistics. The finds traced the persistent reservation towards child -adoption among Igbo Christians to the endurance of conviction in Igbo traditional religion and worldview. The result indicated three major dynamics of this conviction; the non- indigenous nature of the practice (adoption), the bridge of the ancestral lineage by the practice, and social stigma that goes with the practice. These tripartite socio-religious factors continue to influence the choice of an average Igbo Christian toward child adoption. The paper argues that while the traditions (Christian and Igbo) have the right to propagate their different worldviews and beliefs on marriage and child -adoption, the choice of the individual couples on the subject matter remains primal. Provision and enforcement of a functional supportive legal framework that protects the adopted and adoptive parents from every form of societal stigmatization cannot be relegated to the background.

KEYWORDS:

Child adoption, endurance of conviction, family preservation, Igbo Christians, marriage, reservation

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VOlUME 03 ISSUE 03 MARCH 2024